Kingdom Solutions is currently in the process of developing a new CRM system. All the details are yet to be worked out, but at the moment, the package is called “Kingdom Connections” and it is built in Ruby on Rails. We are currently working with a local customer to get everything implemented and ironed out.

The main industries that would benefit from the current version would be churches, recruiters and training organisations. If anyone is interested in discussing an opportunity to take a look at Kingdom Connections, just send an email to: crm@danharper.org.

I’ve just started a new site, Better Business Systems. It’s a site that covers some issues like business process management and document management. I’ve found that businesses need a few more systems outside of customer relationship management (shock, horror!). One great thing is that it gives me a little more flexibility in writing about other business system issues and how to improve them, which I’m excited about.

So, check it out when you get the chance.

I’ve been thinking lately about searching for a simple CRM solution. I’ve recently started up my own company, Kingdom Solutions, and I’ve been wondering how I’m going to keep track of customers (once I start getting some). To be frank, most of the CRM solutions are just overcomplicated. Most of the solutions that are available are focused on sales and conversion tracking. As I don’t have a sales team yet, I don’t need that kind of functionality.

I thought that I’d do a search for “simple CRM” and came across this post: CRM Solutions: Backpack as a Simple CRM Tool. With a nice screenshot, it demonstrates the ability to use Backpack as a simple CRM system.

It looks like it could be a simple solution to simple CRM. I’ll have to try it out for myself. If anyone knows of any other similar solutions, please post a comment.

I just finished reading through a particularly boring news story on a Customer Relationship Management system that Adelaide Festival have recently deployed. Now, I’m not sure why I read through the whole article, I guess CRM news is slim today. It did remind me however of all the jargon that exists in this industry.

Why this is the case I’m not sure. I understand the need for companies to find descriptive terms to give meaning to the work that they do or service that they provide. Unfortunately however, this can be abused. This particular article I think is an example of that.

If you read through it you’ll find no real substance on how the solution was deployed. For other businesses who are wondering about how exactly a CRM solution would fit into their business, there is no real information to help them.

Maybe it makes sense to some, but to me, it just sounds like there’s nothing there worth reporting on and nothing new or exciting happening. Maybe I’m just tired… -yawn-

There looks to be a lot of news buzzing around within the last 24 hours in regards to Microsoft’s new CRM 3.0. Microsoft is an interesting company to watch, especially in the way that it markets its products and itself. Interestingly, most of the news is generated from third parties that cooperate with Microsoft in distributing, supporting and installing their software.

My advice would be to be cautious. I’ve noticed that Microsoft is very agressive in marketing. I can’t remember a product that they have put their name to that they have let speak for itself. I would say that this is the case because a lot of the software they generate cannot speak for itself. It requires plenty of marketing dollars to be spent telling us all how useful and popular it is.

In regards to Microsoft CRM 3.0, look closely, does it stack up to everything the marketing says it is? Assess the software for the REAL benefits, not just because it’s a Microsoft product, not because the nice consulting company recommended it, and not because it has its claws in a bunch of other Microsoft products. Will the software be easy to use for my staff who are not so crash hot on the computers? Would I be able to use the software? Do I need this consulting company to babysit my installation, and how much is that going to cost me? How long will my company be tied to this and am I willing to commit that much to it?

Don’t just look at it as a money decision, there could be other packages available which are a better fit for your business. They may cost more upfront, but they may be more beneficial and reap better returns in the long run.